A crematorium has raised more than £160,000 in 10 years by recycling replacement hip and knee joints.

The team at Vinters Park Crematorium, near Maidstone, collects the leftover joints and stores them – all with written consent from bereaved families.

They are then taken to a specialist company called OrthoMetals in Sheffield for separation, sorting, and smelting.

A high percentage of the higher-grade cobalt steel is sent to two companies that manufacture new orthopaedic implants. Any lower-graded metal is traditionally recycled.

The scheme is run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) – something Maidstone Borough Council has been part of since 2012.

In that time, the council has raised £161,076 through recycling the metal and not just disposing of it by previous means.

Before this, implants from loved ones used to be stored at the crematorium until there was a sufficient amount and would then be buried within the Gardens of Remembrance.

The council donates the raised money to a selected charity each year. The first being the British Heart Foundation in 2013, which was given just shy of £5,000.

This year, £14,000 was raised and has been handed over to the town’s Parkinson’s UK branch.

Lawrence Hallewell, branch fundraiser from the charity, said: “I still can’t quite believe the generous donation to our local branch.

“It will make such a difference. We support local members, their families, and carers with activities and events aimed at improving the quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s. This money will go towards the costs of our numerous activities, thank you so much.”

Cllr Patrik Garten, cabinet member for environmental services at Maidstone Borough Council said: “We are so grateful for the generosity of bereaved families who make the difficult decision to consent to orthopaedic implants such as knee and hip replacement joints being removed from the ashes.

“We really can’t thank them enough; it is heartwarming to know so many local charities have been helped through this scheme.”